DuoDERM EXTRA THIN(TM) Dressing Modified by Multiple Incisions

ABSTRACT

In reconstruction of the skin defect, partial thickness skin graft (STSG) is common procedure in plastic and reconstructive surgery. Even if the graft is taken successfully, the texture of the donor site can be an aesthetic problem to the patient and the surgeon. Nowadays, occlusive dressings have been recommended for better results and accelerated healing of the donor site. Although hydrocolloid dressing is one of the popular occlusive dressings, its application is limited to the wounds that have mild to moderate discharge because of its absorption capacity. We modified the DuoDERM EXTRA THIN(TM) with multiple incisions to drain the massive discharge in acute stage in STSG donor dressing from January 2003 to May 2003. During the surgery, the half of the donor site was covered with the modified DuoDERM and the other half with original one as a control study. Dressing was changed after the 2nd day of operation. As bloody exudates were drained through the incisions areas, blood clot was less attached on experimental groups than control. Epithelialization was faster in modified dressing and skin surface was more even than the control. We are reporting the advantage of making multiple incisions on DuoDERM EXTRA THIN(TM) for dressing of the partial thickness skin graft donor site.